Released 10 years ago this October
Alone
The Pretenders · 2016
46 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A bittersweet blend of alternative rock and introspective lyrics, echoing with a sense of longing and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Alone Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's emotional core, featuring poignant lyrics that delve into solitude while showcasing Hynde's evocative vocal delivery.
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Gotta Wait — This track stands out for its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, juxtaposed with lyrics that explore themes of patience and yearning.
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Death Is Not Enough — With its haunting arrangement and deeply introspective lyrics, this song reflects on mortality and the complexity of human emotions, making it a high point of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends familiar rock elements with personal themes but lacks a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo pace with layered guitar riffs and introspective lyrics, while the fourth track shifts to a slower ballad format.
- The final track before the bonus, 'Death Is Not Enough,' employs a haunting melody that contrasts sharply with the more upbeat preceding tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- emotional introspection moments
- steady emotional engagement
- thoughtful lyrical exploration
- medium-length immersive tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a strong return after years, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
- Themes
- solitary reflections· bittersweet longing· mortality contemplation
- Career context
- Released in 2016, Alone marked The Pretenders' first album after a nearly eight-year hiatus since their previous studio effort, Break Up the Concrete. Led by founder Chrissie Hynde, this album shows a return to form as well as an evolution in sound, collaborating with producer Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys to craft a fresh yet familiar sonic landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Bangles· Blondie· Siouxsie and the Banshees
Tracklist
- 1 Alone Start here 3:49
- 2 Roadie Man 3:54
- 3 Gotta Wait 2:58
- 4 Never Be Together 4:01
- 5 Let’s Get Lost 3:03
- 6 Chord Lord 3:14
- 7 Blue Eyed Sky 4:51
- 8 The Man You Are 3:45
- 9 One More Day 4:15
- 10 I Hate Myself 4:43
- 11 Death Is Not Enough 3:11
- 12 Holy Commotion (bonus) 4:12
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Remind Me Tomorrow
Sharon Van Etten
Shares introspective lyrics and a bittersweet atmosphere, blending rock with a sense of longing.
Hell-On
Neko Case
Explores themes of solitude and resilience through rich storytelling and a layered sonic palette.
A Deeper Understanding
The War on Drugs
Combines alternative rock with reflective themes and expansive soundscapes that evoke nostalgia.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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